I commend the Senate for passing an education reform bill that will
significantly improve and strengthen our public schools. The
reforms in this bill reflect the core principles of my education
agenda: accountability, flexibility, local control, and more choices
for parents. I congratulate Chairman Kennedy, Ranking Member Gregg,
and all those Senators - Democratic, Republican, and Independent -
whose hard work helped to produce this bill.

We are close to a monumental achievement with bipartisan
support. As a result of our efforts, we have wide agreement
on the principles of education reform. I urge Congress to
remain true to these principles during the upcoming conference
committee.

Many also agree on the need to provide historic levels of funding to
help states and local schools to implement these needed
reforms. Additional spending on education surely is
justified. But the increases must be carefully directed and effectively
spent. In the past, increased spending and the creation of
multiple new programs have not improved student achievement.

As a nation, we made a promise 36 years ago that disadvantaged children
would be well educated in our country. We have not yet fulfilled that
promise. Now we must. If we are to do so, we
must change our approach. I challenge the House and Senate conferees to
keep this imperative for real change in mind as they begin their
deliberations. Empowering parents and educators closest to the
children, insisting on real accountability for results, streamlining
and placing more focus on proven programs, and increasing resources in
an intelligent and reasonable manner tied to the reforms all
work. Adhering to these approaches can provide us an
historic opportunity for our children and our country. Let's seize it.